19 December 2018

Newsletter Articles

From the Principal

It is hard to believe that we have almost completed another school year! It has been a pleasure to celebrate and recognise our efforts and achievements through our Celebration Assemblies and end of year events. Although it is always very busy at this time of year it is important to take the time to reflect on the year that was and enjoy the highlights and accomplishments of our wonderful students. This year our learning programs have grown and diversified and we have been able to offer our students a wider range of quality learning programs to both challenge and motivate them. Our STEAM Program has been a real highlight and students from Kinder to Grade 6 have immersed themselves in problem solving and a vast array of digital technology challenges. Our Arts program continues to grow and this year included Tasdance and Remade Fashion Show. As always we continue to excel in the sporting arena and our sporting opportunities are well represented.

Grade 6 Students

It has been an absolute pleasure to spend time with our Grade 6 students this week at our Celebration Dinner and Presentation Assembly. It is obvious to me that these students have made the most of their opportunities at primary school and are ready to take the next step in their learning journey at High School next year. I know the future actions of these students will show Exeter Primary to be the great school it is and I wish them well. I would like to thank the parents and families for working in partnership with us to support the positive growth and development of these fine young people.

End of Year Reports

Families will have received their End of Year Reports on Tuesday. Please take the time to discuss your child’s results with them. Celebrate their successes and let them know how proud you are of them. Report time also provides a good opportunity to talk about future learning goals, ask your child what they would like to improve on next year and then work with them to help them achieve their goal. The Australian Education Union has directed its members not to include comments on Term 4 student reports. This may result in inconsistency in the way in which reports are provided with some reports including a general comment and some without. If you have any question please contact your child’s class teacher. With the report you will receive your child’s class placement for 2018 and information about book sales and levies. If you haven’t already done so please assist us by finalising any outstanding accounts and returning any library books or maths bags that you may still have at home.

Staffing 2019

The annual staffing process is always a long and generally complicated process and we try hard to have classes completed and teachers assigned so that families know who their children will be with next year. We are now in a position to confirm the following classes and staff:

Kinder – Jo Howell
Kinder – Shanley Freeman
Prep – Rebecca Simpson
Prep – Jane Upson
1/2 – Shannon Atkins
1/2 – Jo Crawford
1/2 – Julie Doyle and Helen Purtell
1/2 – Kate Emms and Evie Gee
3/4 – David Duncan
3/4 – Vicki Gee
3/4 – Bec Wheatley
3/4 – Ruth Zandaver
5/6 – Christine Alcock
5/6 – Sallyann Geale and Thomas Clark
5/6 – Tony Clancy and Peter Habel
5/6 – Fieona Petrohilos
AST – Thomas Clark & Kate Emms
AP – Amy Sims and TBA
PE – Peter Habel
Launching into Learning – Kate Koch
Learning Support – TBA

Our Support Staff for 2019:

Psychologist – Annie Fitzgerald
Social Worker – Karen Button
Speech Pathologist – TBA
School Nurse – Rebecca Beeston

Students will be visiting their new classes on Thursday morning and we ask that you support your child to manage this change by remaining positive about the transition. It is usual for children to feel anxious about a new teacher, new classroom and new friendships and they will look to you for guidance and support. If you are optimistic and reassuring, then they too will be optimistic and focus on the positives. Classes have been constructed with great care and with the best interests of children in mind. All parental input has been acted upon and we do not anticipate any class changes from this point on. I thank you for your support with this.

Farewell Mrs Jen Radford

This year we are farewelling Mrs Jen Radford, who after 16 years at Exeter Primary School, is moving on to Riverside Primary. Most families will know Jen as she has taught many of our students from kindergarten to grade 2. Jen is a true early childhood educator whose classroom is always a buzz with interesting and creative learning opportunities. We will miss Jen but know that she will be warmly welcomed at her new school and wish her all the best.

Farewell Mrs Jill Wivell

We are also farewelling Mrs Jill Wivell who after 20 years with us will be moving to Exeter High School. Jill has been in our 5/6 team, but has also run an outdoor classroom program in our garden and directed the musical ‘Splat’ some years ago. We know Jill will be an asset to the high school and look forward to keeping in contact with her.

Childrens University

It was a great pleasure to attend our first Children's University 2018 Graduation Ceremony last Saturday. The Children’s University recognises students extra curricular acivities with 342 students in Tasmania accumulating over 21 000 hours of learning out side of the school setting. Congratulations to the Exeter Primary students who received their Bronze Award yesterday. It was a fantastic ceremony with The Minister for Education and the Governor of Tasmania, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Kate Warner, AM, in attendance. Thanks to Mr Clark for supporting these students.

Thank You

At this time of year I am mindful of all the people who contribute to the life of our school. I would like to acknowledge the parents and community members who support us through the School Association and Parent and Friends. This group of people continually support our school and look for ways to value add to the progams and facilities we offer. I would like to especially thank Mark and Karen Woods, Niall Simpson and Bettina Hockey who have finished their association with Parents and Friends, as their youngest child moves on to High School next year.

Acknowledgement must also go to our teaching staff, teacher assistants and support staff for their dedication to improving the learning outcomes of our students. Thanks also to our facility attendants and groundsman who keep our buildings and grounds in excellent order, to Mrs Clarke for the fabulous job she does in keeping our beautiful library so orderly and attractive. Thank you to Mrs Mohr for the great job she does in providing healthy and delicious options in the canteen and a special thank you to our Administration staff who, at this time of the year, work extremely hard to ensure that celebration events run smoothly, reports are printed and new classses are assigned and so on.

I am grateful to the families and the greater Exeter Community who support our school and advocate for us in the community and finally I would like to thank our wonderful students for making Exeter Primary the friendly and inviting place it is.

I wish you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and look forward to seeing you all again in the new year and hearing all about your holiday adventures.

Helen

Assembly Awards

Grade 6 Awards Recipients

Class Awards 2017

We congratulate the following students:

Important Dates

Levy/Book sales information 2019

Our Uniform Shop will be opened in the Heritage Block during Book sales times for the purchase of new and second-hand uniforms.

Students will be issued with a standard stationery pack designed for their grade. We would encourage that if you are paying your child’s composite levy by BPay please allow at least 3-4 days for the payment to be processed and forwarded through to Exeter Primary School or bring along your receipt of payment.

Payments may be made by:

• B Pay – Biller code included on bottom of invoice (Families will be invoiced in January)
• Service Tasmania – Codes included on invoice (Families will be invoiced in January)
• B Point – an online billing payment service which allows the payee to pay online without the need to have access to online banking. B Point logo included on invoices (Families will be invoiced in January)
• By Centrepay – a free direct bill paying service offered to customers who are receiving payments Centrelink – forms available from Exeter Primary School Office.
• By cash or credit card on booksales days

HATS!

If your child is finishing grade 6 or leaving Exeter Primary and you would like to donate their hat to the school, we would appreciate having some spare hat for students who may have forgotten their hat and can ensure they are able to have some physical movement during break times.

School Association

Parents & Friends Raffle

Community News